Question

when malawi, an agricultural country in southern africa long troubled by poverty, was struck by severe famine in 2002, a widespread lack of electricity and running water hampered its recovery. to lessen his own familys struggles, teenager william kamkwamba decided to build a windmill to generate power. others doubted the viability of his idea; kamkwamba didnt have the finances to buy the proper supplies for such a project. however, kamkwamba persevered. his first windmill, completed when he was just fourteen, was largely built out of scrap materials—including an old bicycle frame and a tractor fan—and generated enough power for only one light bulb. kamkwamba then built a stronger windmill, which powered four bulbs. he went on to build several more windmills, including one for pumping water, allowing his family to use electrical appliances and to irrigate their crops. kamkwambas success garnered international attention and inspired similar projects.
what is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

Explanation:

The passage tells the story of William Kamkwamba in Malawi, who, facing poverty and lack of electricity, persevered to build windmills from scrap materials to help his family (power, irrigate crops), and his success gained international attention and inspired others. The central idea is about his efforts and achievements in building windmills to overcome hardships.

Answer:

The main idea is that teenager William Kamkwamba, in poverty - stricken Malawi, persevered to build windmills from scrap materials to generate power and help his family, and his success gained international attention and inspired similar projects.